The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-16
IN GIRLD0Dl.
BY ROLAND GRAEME.

Some few years back I was spend- ing part of my first long vacation at Oxbridge with some friends in Cam shire. Just as my visit was termin- ating toward the end of July I re- ceived letter from home, asking me to bring back with me sister, whose term at school in Skipperton, town in the same county, ended about that time. In an evil hour consented and made my way to Skipperton. l got there on Saturday, expecting to go on in the course of the same day; but it was not to be. Having left my lug gage at this most perplexing of sta- tions, walked to the address, "Alge- bra Lodge" and found fine old house of some size, fronted by painfully trim gravel walk and meagre flower beds.
 On the door being opened in answer to my ring, was ushered by a par ticularly tidy maid into a sitting room of quite exceptional neatness. This excessive order everywhere made me feel nervous. I reflected that I had been travelling, saw that my clothes were dusty, felt my necktie awry, and shuddered at the thought of a possible smudge on my face. However, there was no time to put things ship shape, for rustling was heard, and in came the head mistress herself. Now had heard very bad accounts of Miss Spinney, for such was her name, from my sister and her friends. She was spiteful, cross as two sticks, would read letters, even open them when marked "private" with double dash, always confiscated nice novels, and was quite too dread fully suspicious of "cousins" who might wish to call. Being, venture to say, man of some experience in these matters, I had heavily discounted these notes of character, putting "sen- sational" instead of mice" before novels, and considering that letters marked "private," with double dash, were probably quite as suspicious as the cousins" from whom they might emanate. (How often does the word "cousin" cover a multitude of sins } Still was not prepared for so nice 8 person as Miss Spinney turned out to be. She had ringlets indeed, but not of the rigid black corkscrew descrip- tion had expected; hers were of @ soft gray color; instead of being angu- lar, she was decidedly round; instead of staring me out of countenance with hard stony eyes, she beamed upon me most effusively through gold-rimmed spectacles.
 After putting me thoroughly at my ease, she informed me very pleasantly that my sister could not possibly be ready to leave before Monday. At this was naturally aghast, but after a moments consideration replied that I could put up for Sunday at the "Crown."
 'sThe Grown" said the generous spinster, "no such thingI I can give you spare room, and you will have all you want in my part of the house, besides being near your sister,
 Overcome by her warmth I gave in at once and accepted her offer. No sooner had I started on my way to the station to fetch my luggage than my heart misgave me--but 1t was too late; the die was cast. Sadly entered a cab, and gloomier grow my thoughts as I again approached Algebra Lodge.
 Just as the miserable horse drew up to the gate the young ladies were re- turning from their afternoon's walk, two by two in the approved style. I stepped out and had to encounter the gaze of twenty pairs of eager eyes. This 60 unnerved me that offered the cabmsn . penny instead of horin, which he held mp to the gaze of the aforesad eyes to complete my discom- future. do not know how I should have staggered into the house had it not been for the assistance of my sis ter, having first disgusted me by .